Atlanta United snapped a streak of nine games without a win and defeated FC Cincinnati 4-2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It was the first time since March that the team has scored over a single goal in a match.
The victory advanced the 5-Stripes to 14 points and 12th place. The chance to become leaders slipped away from Cincinnati, however, as it remained in second place on 29 points, a point short of the Union.
Fast start and early lead
Not longer than three minutes in, but goalkeeper Brad Guzan had to be summoned. Cincinnati were threatening, however, and the captain of Atlanta made the save of the day at point blank range. The initial scare served as a wake-up. And the payback was of the kind: early pressure.
Derrick Williams headed it in after taking advantage of a well-placed free kick from Miranchuk in the 15th. There was no sign the action would slow. Jay Fortune entered the box and finished a low ball off a cross from Saba Lobjanidze five minutes later. Atlanta led 2-0 in the 20th minute. It was the team's greatest lead of the year.
Emmanuel Latte Lath drew close to a third after the midpoint. He outdribbled goalkeeper Roman Celentano but shoved his attempt into the side net. Both squads continued to generate chances as the game was still quite alive.
Cincinnati's response heightens the tension
The halftime interlude didn't break the tempo. On a corner kick header in the 48th, ex-Atlanta man Miles Robinson tied the match for Cincinnati. The goal seemed to put visitors back in the contest. But Atlanta regained their rhythm. Minute 66, corner again. Williams headed the ball in the air, and it bounced in the box, and was deposited in the net by Bartosz Slisz. First goal of the season. The teams now stood at 3-1. Atlanta regained its two-goal advantage.
Even though they were dominating the game, Atlanta opened up. Cincinnati took advantage. Valenzuela directed a cross in the box in the 70th minute and scored again. The 3-2 lead injected tension again.
Atlanta began to defend. Deila made some changes and tightened the defense line by adding Ronald Hernández, Mateusz Klich, and Jamal Thiaré. The strategy was straightforward: maintain the advantage and look for the counterattacks.
Late goal clinches commanding finish
Cincinnati left it all on the pitch in the final few minutes. Atlanta just managed to hold on. Hernández had a half-opportunity with a header but headed it over the bar. Everyone collectively held their breath during the stoppage.
Thiaré also took advantage of a defensive error in the 94th minute when he was left alone with the goalkeeper and sealed the fourth goal coolly. The match was now won at 4-2.